New Bradycadia Diagnosis help

[Tash213]

Hi ,

Im an aerobic instructor amongst other jobs, and also work out myself in the gym on weekly basis.
Approx 6 months - 1 year ago began getting palpatations randomly but they didnt bother me too much until about 6 months ago.
Just after this time I was sent for blood tests for determining gluten intolerance and coeliac disease.
Id read up that an irregular heart beat was a symtom of coeliac so thought this would calm down when i changed my diet. I am awaiting on an endescope to determine if i am coeliac as blood tests unclear.
However, my doctor also noticed an irregular heartbeat on checking one day and advised an ECG. This came back perfect but as i was still experiencing palpatations was sent for a 24 hr monitor.
Had results this week and was very shocked!
My doctor has described  that during the tape they found 4 x bradycardia? sleep heart rate is 45-47bpm and as the tape was on whilst i took a light aerobic class there were times when it showed up to 120bpm.
My palpatations are so inconsistent. They feel like a missed beat and it can be quite a scary sensation as if your heart is stopping!
I can go days without experiencing one, or I can have days where they seem to last 2-4 hours. Almost always when im just relaxing.
doctor almost adament I will have have pacemaker to which i am terrified. He was also a little surprised I hadnt been fainting?
From memory, I  feel a little weak/er when i have them but dont feel particularly lightheaded or anything. More just a horrible sensation.
Im not especially tired compared to the norm as I do physical activity almost every day.
Im now scared and thinking of my heart beat constantly incase i have a palpatation now knowing how dangerous they can be :(
Im being referred to a cardio ologist now for futher treatment.
Any advice or suggestions welcome as to any other alternative medicine, so as to avoid as much as possible having a pacemaker. I am 39.
Thank you so much
Kind regards

[Bromley]

I should mention as long as I am posting here. I am not a doctor.

[Bromley]

Hi.  The fact that your palpitations wax and wane is probably not a concern in and of itself.  What you are feeling could be simple PVC's. Also, a bradycardia in an athlete, like the doctor says, is not necessarily a reason for concern.  If your doctor says you need a pacer, it is either because he is wrong, or because there is something in the information he has --- and that you have not yet revealed.

If you can, get a second and third INDEPENDENT opinion before making life altering decisions. Take ALL of your information with you to your second opinion appointment.  Be diligent in doing this otherwise you may start to feel like you are under a time crunch on your decision making.  You will need to take time to reflect on any life altering changes medicine has to offer.

Good luck.

[Tash213]

Thank you so much for your reply.

I dont have a copy of the report from 24hr monitor, it has been sent by my doctor with the standard cover letter to the cardio-ologists, so I now need to wait for a letter appointment to see them.

I just saw on the bottom of the graphs/report that it had 4 bradycardia and sleep rate of 45-47bpm.

The doctor mentioned that as i wake up my heart starts to race and faily often i do feel this sensation of heavier heartbeat but it is still not above 70bpm??

I can go days like i just have without a single sensation or flutter, and then this morn i had 3 small ones in space of few minutes then nothing again.

Everyone just seems to be concerned that I will pass out and will have to stop driving! My work nurse has saiod the same but that I am to wait and see what specialist says although if my doc was almost certain then usualy theyre right.

Am terrified i will now pass out randomly and that I will end up with a pacemaker :(

Fingers crossed you are right, but why then was my doc so adament?

I should also add that ive noticed when I get the mini palpatations, more often than not i get wind straight away adn feel bit better once this has passed.  Could they be related?
I am also being tested for coeliac disease at mo.
Thanks again

Tash

[Tash213]

Hi,

I should also add that ive noticed when I get the mini palpatations, more often than not i get wind straight away adn feel bit better once this has passed.  Could they be related?
I am also being tested for coeliac disease at mo.

Tash

[Tash213]

Thank you so much for your reply.

I dont have a copy of the report from 24hr monitor, it has been sent by my doctor with the standard cover letter to the cardio-ologists, so I now need to wait for a letter appointment to see them.

I just saw on the bottom of the graphs/report that it had 4 bradycardia and sleep rate of 45-47bpm.

The doctor mentioned that as i wake up my heart starts to race and faily often i do feel this sensation of heavier heartbeat but it is still not above 70bpm??

I can go days like i just have without a single sensation or flutter, and then this morn i had 3 small ones in space of few minutes then nothing again.

Everyone just seems to be concerned that I will pass out and will have to stop driving! My work nurse has saiod the same but that I am to wait and see what specialist says although if my doc was almost certain then usualy theyre right.

Am terrified i will now pass out randomly and that I will end up with a pacemaker :(

Fingers crossed you are right, but why then was my doc so adament?

Thanks again

Tash

[Cleveland Clinic]

I don't think you need a pacemaker based on what you wrote above.  I am not really sure what 4 X bradycardia means.  If it means a 4 sec pause during sleep I am not very concerned at all,especially in an athletic young patient.  Make sure that you bring your records with you, especially the holter results.  Again, I would not rush to having a pacer implanted unless absolutely indicated. don't be affraid to get a second opinion.